Golioth vs The Things Network: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Golioth and The Things Network side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Golioth
IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease.
Best for you if:
- • You want a tool that significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved)
The Things Network
Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.
Best for you if:
- • You want a tool that leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network
| At a Glance | Golioth | The Things Network |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, one-time packs from $50 | Free 100% free |
Category | IoT Platforms Cloud & Infrastructure | IoT Platforms Cloud & Infrastructure |
Rating | 4.5/5 G2 4.4 · Capterra 5.0 67 reviews | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | Connect bills every active device every month. Sleepy sensors still count if they stay connected. | n/a |
Choose Golioth or The Things Network?
Choose Golioth if
- You want a tool that significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved)
Choose The Things Network if
- You want a tool that leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network
- You want a tool that provides comprehensive tools for managing the entire IoT solution lifecycle
In-Depth Analysis
Golioth
IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease.
Golioth has no seat SKU.
Watch out
Connect bills every active device every month. Sleepy sensors still count if they stay connected.
Strengths
- Pro: Significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved).
- Pro: Device, connectivity, and service agnostic, offering flexibility in hardware and RTOS choices.
- Pro: Built-in security features from day one, including encryption and certificate authentication.
- Pro: Simplifies data routing and transformation with easy-to-configure pipelines.
- Pro: Enables hybrid AI for faster decisions at the edge and continuous model improvement.
Weaknesses
- Con: Additional usage beyond free tiers for OTA bandwidth, logs, and data streaming incurs extra costs.
- Con: Advanced features like custom retention for data storage, advanced permissions, audit logs, SSO, and private cloud are only available in higher-tier or custom plans.
- Con: Community support is the primary option for the free tier, with dedicated support only for paid plans.
Key features
The Things Network
Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.
The Things Network offers a highly generous Free tier, making it an excellent starting point for anyone exploring LoRaWAN.
Strengths
- Pro: Leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network.
- Pro: Provides comprehensive tools for managing the entire IoT solution lifecycle.
- Pro: Offers strong security features for device activation and data transmission.
- Pro: Supports a wide range of gateways, including DIY options.
- Pro: Extensive educational resources and certification programs available.
Weaknesses
- Con: Relies solely on LoRaWAN protocol, which may not suit all IoT use cases.
- Con: Requires understanding of LoRaWAN architecture for optimal use.
- Con: Specific pricing details for advanced features or larger deployments are not immediately clear.
Key features
Plans and prices: Golioth vs The Things Network
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Golioth |
| golioth.io/pricing read Oct 14, 2026 |
| The Things Network |
| thethingsnetwork.org read Sep 28, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Golioth pricing and The Things Network pricing.
Key Takeaways
Golioth
- Worth considering for IoT platforms
The Things Network
- Choose The Things Network if you want to build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- Only Golioth has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 67 reviews); The Things Network has none we can show.
- Golioth sells one-time credit packs from $50 (no subscription).
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Golioth and The Things Network compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. Only Golioth has a published user rating (4.5/5 from 67 reviews); The Things Network has none we can show. Golioth sells one-time credit packs from $50 (no subscription). Both have a free plan.
What are Golioth and The Things Network used for?
Golioth: IoT infrastructure as code for hardware teams, connecting devices and routing data with ease. The Things Network: Build and scale IoT applications with a global, open LoRaWAN network.
What does Golioth cost vs The Things Network?
Golioth sells one-time credit packs from $50 (no subscription). The Things Network is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 14, 2026.
What's the main difference between Golioth and The Things Network?
Golioth's main strength: significantly reduces time and cost for building IoT cloud infrastructure (e.g., 6+ months saved). The Things Network's main strength: leverages an open and global LoRaWAN network.
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